The New Stuff

California Police Raid Marijuana Farm Protected By Alligator

HEMET, California (Riverside Press-Enterprise/AP) ~ California narcotics investigators raided a $1.5 million growing operation located in a house which had a rather unusual security guard: a four-foot long alligator named Wally.

The Riverside County drug task force moved in on the home on the night of March 7th and seized nearly 2,300 cannabis plants; the force commander says the agents also found the reptile, described as a "watchgator". The healthy 55-pound American alligator was turned over to the Phelan-based Forever Wild Exotic Animal Sanctuary, since gators are illegal in California.

The Riverside Press-Enterprise newspaper reports that 29-year-old John Nathan Donna, who lives in the home, was arrested and booked for investigation of marijuana cultivation and possession. Donna was released Tuesday on $100,000 bail.